A new generation of young minds pursuing their passion and making a difference have been recognised as winners in this year’s Edstart Achievement Awards Program, with each student receiving an award and a $1,500 grant fund a project, initiative or training in their area of interest.
Now in its third year, the award program by leading education payment provider Edstart provides an opportunity for students to be recognised across six award categories including technology, entrepreneurship, sustainability, sport and arts.
The winning students were selected by an independent judging panel consisting of education leaders including Dr. Chris Duncan - CEO of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools Australia (AHISA), and Nicole Dyson - Founder of Future Anything who was recently named in The Educator’s most influential list for 2023.
The youngest winner this year is budding entrepreneur and Year 1 student Tobias Thornton from Charlton Christian College in Newcastle. Tobias started his own business when he was 5 years old by selling fresh herbs from the garden at the end of his driveway. He went on to make his own chilli jams and preserves which are stocked at two locations and sold on his Facebook page - The Little Entrepreneur.
Edstart CEO Jack Stevens explains that the awards program had high levels of interest and engagement from schools, parents and students this year.
“We received hundreds of nominations across the country and which made selecting winners from the incredible pool of students challenging,” said Stevens.
“As adults it can be easy to get a little bit downcast about the future. What I’m always excited about the Edstart Achievement Awards is flipping that script around to showcase the extraordinary talent of our young people out there.”
This story originally appeared as a media release by Edstart.